Off-duty firefighters save young child's life

A firefighter was awarded for saving a child's life while he was off-duty. (Source: Midway Fire Rescue).

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - A firefighter was awarded for saving a child's life while he was off-duty.

What started out as a family fishing trip for Erik Noel ended in a heroic event. On January 19, Noel, his family and neighbors were fishing at a pond in the Grand Strand when he noticed his neighbor's four-year-old child fall into the pond and go under the water.

According to officials, the depth of the body of water is approximately 12 feet deep. Noel said he jumped in and grabbed the child and held him up so that his wife could get him. The water was cold and Noel found that he could barely swim himself.

Firefighter Brett Sparks was at the scene to help firefighter Noel get out of the water.

Midway Fire Rescue stated, “the quick actions by Firefighter Noel and the assistance from Firefighter Sparks most definitely saved this child's life. The water in January is very cold and had Noel hesitated this outcome may have been very different.”

On February 26, Noel was awarded the Meritorious Action Award by Georgetown County Administrator Sel Hemingway.

Two suspects are wanted this week. Authorities say one is charged with assault and battery the other had an ad for a place for rent on Craigslist but wouldn't let the tenant move in. Authorities hope you can help find them.

Two suspects are wanted this week. Authorities say one is charged with assault and battery the other had an ad for a place for rent on Craigslist but wouldn't let the tenant move in. Authorities hope you can help find them.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, meaning ticks are out in full force. Local veterinarians say the number of Lyme disease cases in Horry County has doubled since 2014. Warmer weather calls for outdoor activities with your loved ones, including your pets. Vets say it's important for everyone to perform daily tick checks on yourselves and especially your pets. This season, tick sightings are already soaring.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, meaning ticks are out in full force. Local veterinarians say the number of Lyme disease cases in Horry County has doubled since 2014. Warmer weather calls for outdoor activities with your loved ones, including your pets. Vets say it's important for everyone to perform daily tick checks on yourselves and especially your pets. This season, tick sightings are already soaring.

(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File). FILE - In this May 22, 2018 file photo, actor Morgan Freeman attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala in New York. Freeman is apologizing to anyone who may have felt “uncomfortable or disrespected” by his behavior....

Actor Morgan Freeman has apologized for making anyone feel uneasy, in the wake of a CNN report in which multiple women accused him of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior.More >>

Actor Morgan Freeman has apologized for making anyone feel uneasy, in the wake of a CNN report in which multiple women accused him of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior.More >>